7s rugby rules variations

7s rugby rules, simply rugby with some rule variations making
it a faster, shorter game. Know your rugby and these variations.

Sevens

Rugby sevens or Seven-a-side rugby as it used to be called
or 7s rugby or rugby 7s !!! has become very popular over the years.

The game of Sevens is played in
festival-like, knock-out type, fun-filled competions
rather than home and away fixtures like normal rugby.

Many Sevens competitions are held locally
and Internationally
the best known probably being
the Hong Kong Rugby Sevens.

It`s a very fast game
played at top speed with wide open spaces.
Although with a reduced number of players
the game is still played on a full size rugby pitch.

There tends to be a light-hearted atmosphere
less pressure
and more room to move.

So it`s not always the fancied teams that win.

Teams with players prepared to throw the ball about,
keep the ball alive,
take a few risks (only calculated ones, of course!)
and use plenty of rugby sidesteps
provide outstanding entertainment and
often surprise everybody.

Playing

In "cut down" rugby numbers are reduced, running skills and crafty footwork become more important.

Rules

Law 3. Number of players and substitution.
Not surprisingly this variation
specifies a maximum of 7 players per team
on the rugby playing field at any time.

Law 5. Time(Game time, half time and extra time).
Play is only seven minutes each half or
ten minutes for a competition final.

Law 6. Match Officials.
Minor extra duties for the match official
and the addition of in-goal judges
one at each end of the field.

Perhaps extra officials are needed because
the game is so fast and open.
The nature of the game means it`s
not so easy to defend in depth.
Often one sidestep is enough to
get a run straight through to the try-line.

The referee would not be expected to keep up with play
and someone is needed to be well placed
to make decisions. The in-goal judges
will be right there
when you score loads of tries!